Christmas GIft From Max - Bob Welch Signed 1987 Topps

This Christmas, my buddy Max knocked another card off of my signed 1987 Topps checklist.  I still needed Bob Welch, who had passed away, so there obviously weren't any private signings or TTM I could do.

Welch (b. 1956 - d. 2014) played in the majors from 1978 to 1994 for th3 Dodgers and A's.  He had a record of 211-146 with 1,969 strike outs and a 3.47 ERA. He won the AL Cy Young Award in 1990 when he went 27-6 with 127 strike outs and a 2.95 ERA. He finished 8th in the AL MVP race that season.  He was an All Star twice (1980 and 1990).  He won the World Series in 1981 with the Dodgers and in 1989 with the A's. He appeared on the Hall of Fame ballot in 2000 but received only 0.2% of the vote.

Thank you Max for knocking another card off of the list.  I believe I only knocked 3 or 4 cards off of the list this year.  It's getting tougher, for sure.

TTM Success - Debbie Harry

When I saw that lead singer of Blondie, Debbie Harry, was signing TTM, I wasn't sure what to send.  Obviously, I wanted to have her sign a checklist from 87 Topps to help fill out another page of celebrities.  I wanted to send something else, so I went with a New York theme, since Blondie is considered a New York band.  I was able to get the above 2008 Upper Deck Piece of History Statue of Liberty card out of my box.

The above 2020 Allen and Ginter Steinway Tower "Reach For The Sky" insert was another cool one to send out.  Also shown above is the 87 checklist that she signed.  It has no significance or tie to Harry or Blondie other than she was active in 87 and it will be another celebrity card for that album.

Harry (b. 1945) is a singer, songwriter and actress.  She has been with Blondie since their formation in 1974.  The band is known for hits such as Heart of Glass, Call Me, Rapture, Atomic and The Tide is High.  She also appeared in movies: Videodrome, Hairspray, Body Bags, Tales From the Darkside - The Movie and Elegy.

I mailed to Harry on January 23, 2023, and got the cards back on July 26, 2025, for a 915-day TAT.

2025 National Free Signer - John Cangelosi

Max provided me with some extra cards for the next free signer from this year's National, John Cangelosi.  The above 1986 Donruss The Rookies is really cool.  I don't think I had many of these in the autograph album, so I was glad to get it signed.

I also upgraded the Cangelosi for my 1987 Topps set.  The one I had was signed in black, so it was good to add one in blue.

Cangelosi was really nice, as was everyone we met.  The VIP signers were all pretty cool selections.  I always wonder who will be selected for the next batch of VIP signers.  I always hope they choose some guys I jeed for the 87 set, but being down to around 25 or so makes the choices pretty low.

TTM Success - Mitch Webster

This 1987 Topps Mitch Webster kept popping up every time I went through my 1987 Topps box.  The card is a sort of shade of gray instead of brown like most 87s.  I always told myself that if I saw a Webster signing, I'd get it signed and into my 1987 album.  This was even after I had added a Webster to the album a while back.  That one will probably become trade bait.

Webster (b. 1959) played in the majors from 1983 to 1995 for the Blue Jays, Expos, Cubs, Indians, Pirates and Dodgers.  He had 900 hits, 70 home runs and a .263 batting average. 

I mailed to the signing on November 27 and got the card back on December 21 for a 24-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $25.00.

TTM Success - Hubie Brooks

Adding to my signed 1987 Topps set is getting slower and slower.  There aren't many guys left that I need who are living and/or sign.  I was thrilled when I saw a private signing pop up for Hubie Brooks.  I paid for the signing and then my good friend Max bought me one for Christmas. Oof.

Brooks (b. 1956) played in the majors from 1980 to 1994 for the Mets, Expos, Dodgers, Angels and Royals.  He had 1,608 hits, 149 home runs and a .269 batting average.  He was an All Star in 1986 and 1987, and a Silver Slugger Award winner in 1985 and 1986.  He finished 14th in the 1985 NL MVP race. 

I mailed to the signing on November 5 and got the card back on December 20 for a 45-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $50.00.

Christmas From Max 2024

Max came through again with some cards to help out with my 1987 Topps set.  Crossing off the tough Mark Portugal (above) was something I was really happy to do once I opened his gift.  He also got me another signed card from the set, but I had already gotten the same guy from a private signing, so Max's will be used to trade for someone else that I need and will be posted later on.

Portugal (b. 1962) played in the majors from 1985 to 1999 for the Twins, Astros, Giants, Reds, Phillies and Red Sox.  He had a career record of 109-95 with 1,134 strike outs and a 4.03 ERA.   He finished 6th in the 1993 NL Cy Young Race and won a Silver Slugger Award in 1994.  He was part of the Teins organization when they won the World Series in 1987, but did not pitch in the playoffs.

Max also found this Wamder Franco signed 1987 Topps-design insert when he was looking for signed 87s and picked it up for me.  He got it as a joke, and i definitely chuckled when I saw it.  What a shame, though.  Wander was really cool the couple of times when I met him in Durham.  I'm going to refrain from discussing his issues much more other than I know we will never see him play in the majors again. Still, it's a nice card and I'm still putting it in the autograph album. 

Thank you so much for the Christmas gift Max.  You always come through.  

Another TTM Success From Bill Mooneyham

Better late than never.  Except, while I was waiting for this TTM success to come back from Bill Mooneyham, I took part in a private signing that crossed the card off of my needs list. 

This one came back after I mailed to him directly, several years ago. So, the card from the private signing that I got is signed in blue, and this one will go in the regular autograph album. 

I mailed to Mooneyham on May 2, 2020, and got the card back on October 7, 2024, for a 1,619-day TAT.

1987 Topps Set Pickup - Chet Lemon

This is my most recent pickup for my signed 1987 Topps set, a Beckett certified Chet Lemon.  I jad recently read an article about how Lemon has suffered a series of strokes, so I grabbed this one off of Ebay.  The article was really good and explained why folks hadn't heard much out of Lemon for some time now.  His wife wanted to let fans know, since there are plans to have Lemon at an upcoming Tigers game commemorating the 1984 World Series Champion Tigers.

Lemon (b. 1955) played in the majors from 1975 to 1990 for the White Sox and Tigers.  He had 1,875 hits, 215 home runs and a .273 batting average.  He was a three-time All Star (1978, 1979 and 1984).  He won the World Series with the Tigers in 1984.  He appeared on the 1996 Hall of Fame ballot but received only 0.2% of the vote. 

I like having my set in an album, but I don't want to crack this case.  I'll probably put an unsigned Lemon in the album with a slip of paper saying "see graded card" or something like that.

1987 Topps Set Pickup - Steve Bedrosian

Another signed 1987 Topps was added to set off of Facebook recently when I grabbed this Steve Bedrosian for cheap.

Bedrosian (b. 1957) played in the majors from 1981 to 1991 and from 1993 to 1995 for the Braves, Phillies, Giants and Twins.  He had a record of 76-79 with 921 strike outs and a 3.38 ERA.

I've got one more new 1987 Topps that I picked up, which I will show soon.

1987 Topps Set Pickup - Greg Minton

Finally, some more signed 1987 Topps will be added to the set in short order.  I've seen a couple folks giving up on their set endeavors and punting, so I've swooped in and grabbed a few guys that I needed.  The first is this Greg Minton that I got from a guy on Facebook.

I had written an email to Minton about a year ago, and got a response.  He said for me to send him a card and he would sign it.  The card never came back, so I bought this one and crossed Minton off of the list.

Minton (b. 1951) played in the majors from 1975 to 1990 for the Giants and Angels.  He had a career record of 59-65 with 479 strike outs, 150 saves and a 3.10 ERA.

Minton puts me at 756/792 for the set.  36 cards to go!

Another TTM Success From Tim Laudner

My 1987 Topps Twins Leaders card has been upgraded thanks to a recent private signing with Tim Laudner.  I had the card already, but it was signed in black. I prefer blue, so I took the card with me to High Point  a few weeks back and had Frank Viola sign it in blue.  I saw the Laudner signing pop up on SCN, so I got the card out as quickly as I could. My card that is signed in black is now up for sale, with the hope that someone jumps on it soon.

I mailed to the signing on June 26 and got the card back on July 15, for a 19-day TAT. I paid a fee of $30.00.

A Signed 1987 Topps From Jackson

Finally, another signed 1987 Topps has cone in, this one being a long-overdue Juan Bonilla from my friend, Jackson.  He arranged a private signing with Bonilla last year, and my friend, Aidan, signed up for this as a Christmas gift to me.  Signed 87s have been really slow lately, as I am down to just a left that I need for the set.

Bonilla (b. 1956) played in the majors from 1981 to 1983 and 198t to 1987 for the Padres, Yankees and Orioles.  He had 375 hits, 7 home runs and a .256 batting average.

Thanks for helping me with the set, Jackson and Aidan!

TTM Success - Rick Aguilera

Finally, a private signing with a tough (for me at least) to get 1987 Topps autograph came along.  I was able to add Rick Aguilera to the set after a private signing on SCN.

Aguilera (b. 1961) played in the majors from 1985 to 2000 for the Mets, Twins, Red Sox and Cubs.  He had a record of 86-81 with 1,030 strike outs and a 3.57 ERA.  He also had 318 saves in his career.  He was a three-time All Star (1991, 1992 and 1993).  He finished 18th in the 1991 AL MVP race.  He won the World Series with the Mets in 1986 and Twins in 1991.  He appeared on the Hall of Fame ballot on 2006 but received only 0.6% of the vote.

I mailed to the signing on December 20 and got the card back on February 9, for a 51-day TAT.  I paid a fee of $59.00.

Max Crosses Off Another Tough 1987 Autograph

My good friend, Max, messaged me the other day asking if I had gotten Orel Hershiser for my 1987 set yet.  I hadn't, so he picked this up for me.  I was surprised.  I haven't seen any Hershiser signings as of late, so I wasn't sure how I would add this card to my set.

Hershiser (b. 1958) played in the majors from 1983 to 2000 for the Dodgers, Indians, Giants and Mets.  He had a record of 204-150 with  2,014 strike outs and a 3.48 ERA.  He had over 20 wins once (23 in 1988).  He was an All Star 3 times (1987 to 1989).  He was a Gold Glove Award winner in 1988 and a Silver Slugger in 1993.  He was the NL Cy Young Award winner in 1988.  His best MVP finish was 6th (1988).  He won the World Series with the Dodgers in 1988.  That post season, he was both the NLCS and World Series MVP.  He was also the ALCS MVP in 1995.

Hershiser appeared on the Hall of Fame ballot twice (2006 and 2007), but received at most, 11.2% of the vote.

Thank you so much, Max, for helping me add Hershiser to the set!

Signed 1987 Topps Mitch Webster From Gerard

My good friend, Gerard, found this Mitch Webster signed 1987 Topps for my set.  Gerard has helped a bunch with the set.

Webster (b. 1959) played in the majors from 1983 to 1995 for the Blue Jays, Expos, Cubs, Indians, Pirates and Dodgers.  He had 900 hits, 70 home runs and a .263 batting average.  

Thank you so much for the help with the set, Gerard!

Some Signed 87s For Christmas From Max

Several tougher 1987 Topps cards were crossed off of my checklist when I got a Christmas gift from my good friend, Max.  He has helped me tremendously with this set, and I am very grateful.  I had sent to Brian Fisher TTM, but never got my card back.  Now, I don't need to worry, as the card is now signed and in the 87 album.

I had been promised a signed Ed Correa from someone else, but he hasn't delivered, so this one will take care.of that.

I had mailed to Keith Atherton, but he also hasn't returned my card.  Mickey Hatcher does sign TTM, but for a fee to a vendor who I had a negative experience with some years ago, so I don't necessarily like dealing with his group.  Max saved me so many headaches by crossing these guys off the list.  He also put me at 752 cards, which means I have 40 to go.  I never thought I'd be this close. 

Thank you so much for the Christmas gift, Max!

Another TTM Success From Bobby Valentine

A huge card has been crossed off of the 1987 Topps checklist.  I had picked up this Ricky Wright signed 1987 Topps from someone who was dismantling their almost completed set a couple years ago.  It sat on my desk in a stack of cards waiting for a private signing with Bobby Valentine.  I waited and waited then after Brooks Robinson passed, I panicked and dropped the card in the mail. I was sweating for a while, especially since about 2 weeks after I sent it out, a private signing with Valentine was announced.  The card finally came back signed and now is locked into the album.  I just need someone to get Wright to agree to get his base card signed.  I doubt it'll happen, but I can hope.

I mailed to Valentine on October 7 and got the card back on November 10, for a 34-day TAT.

TTM Success - Tim Conroy

The 1987 Topps cards being added to the signed set are slowing down. I need something like 40 or so more to complete the set, and am down to some tough ones. I was able to get Tim Conroy via a private signing on SCN recently, which crossed him off of my list. 

Conroy (b. 1960) played in the majors in 1978 and from 1982 to 1987 for the A's and Cardinals.  He had a record of 18-32 with 307 strike outs and a 4.69 ERA.

I mailed to the signing on April 13 and got the card back on June 14, for a 62-day TAT.

TTM Success - Steve Lake

Finally, I was able to cross Steve Lake off of my checklist for my 1987 Topps set.  A private signing came up, and I got my card done.  I had tried him TTM a couple times, but never got my cards back.

Lake (b. 1957) played in the majors from 1983 to 1993 for the Cubs, Cardinals and Phillies.  He had 267 hits, 18 home runs and a .237 batting average. I mailed to the signing on February 3, and got the card back on May 30, for a 55-day TAT.

TTM Success - Catherine O'Hara

Here is another celebrity TTM success.  I got Catherine O'Hara to sign two cards TTM recently.  I sent off an 87 Topps checklist since I'm filling up the back of my 87 set album with signed checklists.  I know a lot of people wonder why I send them, and it is simply that I have a ton of them, and it is kind of cool to flip through the back of that album and see who all I got on those checklists. 

I also sent off this 2010 Allen and Ginter Betelgeuse card.  It would have been cool had she signed the front, but I can see why she didn't.  The autograph may not have shown up as well.

O'Hara (b. 1954) is an actress best known for roles in Schitts Creek, Beetlejuice, Best in Show and the first two Home Alone movies.  I especially loved her in Schitts Creek.  That show was really funny. 

I mailed to O'Hara on January 21 and got the cards back on May 20, for an 88-day TAT.